Pilipa’a girls 2-1 in 3rd round

Orlando, Florida – The Pilipa’a 16’s started the afternoon with a renewed focus and a strong desire to improve upon yesterday’s disappointing finish.

They opened the afternoon with a solid 2-0 (25-13, 25-17) win over LVA 16 Elite of Orlando, Florida. It was a strong team performance with far fewer unforced errors than the previous days games. Improved passing and digging by liberos Amber Eakins, Siena Mizuno and DS/OH Anela Navor allowed Pilipa’a setter Kiani Troy to run the middle much more effectively than in previous matches in the tournament.

The second match of the day proved to be tougher with Pilipa’a fighting hard but coming up just a bit short in 2-o (25-23, 25-23) loss to City Beach 16-2 of San Jose, California. The girls stayed with the taller California team almost point for point and played good volleyball for most of the match. A few untimely errors by Pilipa’a sealed the win for City Beach. Taina Leao led Pilipa’a with 11 kills, Makalei Watson added 6 and Jazzy Alston had 5.

The girls faced another tall opponent in their 3rd and final match of the day. They faced A5 of Atlanta, Georgia. A5 had previously beaten City Beach, so a win would tie Pilipa’a with City Beach at 2-1. Pilipa’a played one of their better matches of the tournament against A5. They reduced their unforced errors and hit aggressively through all rotations. They had a very balanced attack with Keani Akui finishing with 7 kills, Makalei Watson adding 6 and KaumakaMai’au Sibayton with 5.

Pilipa’a will play No Panic 16 Matrix at 9am tomorrow in a single-elimination bracket at the Orange County Convention Center.